Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Prime lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
E Mount cameras .
What type of photography is the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM is a member of Sony's GM series of lenses. GM stands for G Master and represents the top of the line lenses on the Sony E mount line-up. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.
Sony GM Series Lenses in Sony E Mount
Reasons to Buy the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
Optical Image Stabilization
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
AF/MF Switch on Lens
Stabilization On/Off Switch on Lens
Focus Range Limiter
Focus Hold Button
Compatible with Sony Teleconverters
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Tripod Collar foot can be replaced
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
11 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh
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Buy Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO
Tripod Collar is not removable
Heavy
Pricey
Lens Mount
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM is compatible with cameras that have a Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony FX5 , Sony A7R VI and Sony A7 V .
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM Sony E Lens Mount
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM has a maximum diameter of 124mm and a total length of 264mm . It weighs 1470g / 51.9 oz .
Check the size of the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM when attached to E Mount cameras :
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM Size with E Mount Cameras
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM has a Drop-in type filter holder with a filter thread of 41mm .
You can also check All Sony E Mount Lenses with 41mm Filter Thread Size to find the matching lenses.
Lens Cap
The Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM ships with a bulky soft cover instead of a proper hard cap, which isn’t the most practical option in daily use.
For a more durable and convenient solution, check out our in-house designed Custom CamDec Lens Cap for Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM as seen in the image below at our CamDec Store .
Custom CamDec Lens Cap for Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM
Focal Range
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM has a fixed focal length of 300mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 450mm .
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM Lens Controls
Teleconverter Compatibility
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM changes below:
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Weather Sealings
Weather Sealings of the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM
The Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Sony FX5 , Sony A7R VI and Sony A7 V .
Optical Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM also has a Stabilization On/Off switch on the lens body so you don't need to delve into your cameras menu to disable or enable the IS.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 264mm and a weight of 1470g, the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM MTF Charts
Below you can find the MTF chart of Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM which would give an idea of the its contrast and resolution from the center to its edges.
MTF Chart of the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM
Focusing Mechanism of the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.16x with a minimum focusing distance of 2m . 0.16x ratio is quite low, making this lens unsuitable even for modest close-up photography.
Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Prime type Sony E mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios :
Aperture
The Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS features a maximum aperture of F2.8 and can be stopped down to a minimum aperture of F22. An aperture of F2.8 provides a solid balance, offering capable low-light performance and giving you plenty of flexibility when shooting indoors or during golden hour. The combination of a longer 300mm focal length and a bright F2.8 opening makes it incredibly easy to isolate your subject, melting away busy backgrounds into smooth, professional bokeh. The minimum setting of F22 is excellent for deep depth of field work like macro photography, though you may want to avoid the absolute smallest settings to skip the sharpness loss caused by optical diffraction.
Optical Formula
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM's optical formula consists of 20 elements in 16 groups . The following special elements are used in this design:
Super ED ED glass Fluorine-coating Nano AR Coating II
Optical Construction of the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM
Lens Hood
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM comes with a removable cylindrical shaped lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM Lens Hood
What's in the Box of Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM:
Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) Front Lens Cap Sony ALC-R1EM Rear Lens Cap ALC-SH175 Lens Hood Tripod Mount Drop-In Filter Lens Strap Soft Case Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Recommended Accessories for the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM
Now it is time to look at the Top Recommended Accessories for the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM .
Body Colour
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM is available in White color.
Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM Attached to a camera
Popular Comparisons of Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM
Here are the 8 most popular comparisons of the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM Lens
In addition, it would be interesting to check which lenses from other mounts are most commonly compared with the Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS.
Top Alternatives of Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM in Other Lens Mounts
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